Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), a global leader specialised in helping customers better manage their business travel, announced today that its 2010 sales volume at USD $24.3 billion 1 grew by 13.5% compared to 2009. In addition, the number of transactions managed by CWT increased by 11.9% 2 year over year. These key performance indicators demonstrate that global business travel is on the rise and that CWT continues to respond effectively thanks the expertise of its people and its leading-edge technology.

Asia Pacific leading the way
CWT had growth in each region. Asia Pacific led with transactions up 27.7% year over year. Latin America grew by 18.4%, while North America saw a 12.7% increase. EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) experienced a 6.6% increase, reflecting slower economic growth in that region.

Retaining clients’ business and new sales
CWT was successful in retaining 96% of its clients’ business and winning US$1.8 billion in annualised new sales, excluding renewals.

“Our growth in 2010 was driven by our success in retaining our clients, winning new business and of course, a more favourable economic environment. These excellent results were particularly significant in 2010 as there were many travel disruptions including heavy snow falls in Europe and the US and the Iceland volcano eruption,” said Douglas Anderson, president and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel.  “2011 will certainly bring more challenges but our global teams are well positioned to continue to serve our clients effectively.”

2010 Business Highlights
CWT built upon the successes of its products, services, and teams in 2010. Here are a few of them:

  *    The CWT Energy Services business became global. This highly specialised team serves the unique and complex needs of companies operating in the oil and gas services, maritime and drilling exploration, and alternative energies industries.

   
  *    CWT enhanced its CWT Telepresence service offering to ensure seamless integration into clients’ managed travel programmes. The solution includes strategy development, change management and decision support, booking and fulfilment, and reporting and optimisation. CWT continues to make private telepresence rooms available to clients through an agreement with Tata Communications.

   
  *    The CWT Travel Management Institute conducted in-depth research into Meetings & Events (M&E) spend, finding companies can save 10-25 per cent by applying best practices to policy and compliance, sourcing and processes.

   
  *    CWT extended some of its products and services to SMS and Smartphone platforms through agreements with conTgo and WorldMate.

   
  *    In North America CWT offers clients CWT Traveller Assistant. The end-to-end solution for booking and managing travel and related business services is being implemented with a number of CWT clients and CWT products.

Expectations for 2011

In 2011, travel buyers will focus on containing travel spend as prices are likely to increase across the main travel areas. In addition, fuel prices, supplier leverage and capacity, additional consolidation, as well as continuing economic challenges will make for tougher negotiations on all sides.

Travel buyers will need to ensure their travel programmes are operating effectively and efficiently in all areas. According to CWT’s annual Travel Management Priorities survey top concerns for 2011 include improving traveller compliance, optimising online adoption, and driving air and ground transportation savings.

In 2011, CWT will continue innovating with advanced technology for travellers, such as mobile applications and increasingly sophisticated tools for travel managers.

“In the travel industry, you learn to expect the unexpected. As we work through the challenges and opportunities of 2011, our focus remains on delivering the best travel service to our customers around the world,” continued Mr Anderson. “Our commitment to excellence and meeting the needs of our clients, thanks to the in-depth industry knowledge of our people, our world class products and technology and our passion for customer excellence, is a deep-rooted conviction we all share.”

1Actual sales volume at current exchange rates; includes air, hotel and ground transportation for wholly owned operations and joint ventures

2Includes air, hotel and ground transportation for wholly owned operations and joint ventures